Homeschool Speech Requirements

Speech is another one of those special requirements that must be covered. Most families reserve this course for high school; however, many decide to provide speech opportunities throughout their homeschool program.

Speech is one of those courses that requires you to network with other families if it is going to be effective. Students need to learn the how-tos of speech, which you can certainly teach using a speech textbook, but they also need the experience of speaking in front of a group of people.

They need to feel the anxiety . . . the fear . . . the knocking knees . . . the dry throat . . . the shaking hands.

They need to discover for themselves how preparation and practice are key to an outstanding delivery. What better way to discover this, than in front of a group of peers who are feeling the same anxieties they are?

But how do you provide those experiences for your child?

1. Organize a monthly homeschool meeting centered around a theme and have each student prepare a small presentation on some aspect of that theme.In our homeschool group, we planned out the year in advance and coordinated field trips around the theme of the month. We met twice a month–once for a field trip and once for networking and presentations. Our kids had to deliver a five minute presentation every month on some aspect of our theme. Some of our themes included:
   1. Medieval History (this lasted 3 months)
   2. Benjamin Franklin (his 300th birthday celebration)
   3. A science fair (presentations were a little longer on this one)
   4. Fairy tales and folk tales
   5. A specific country (coordinated with a special display at a local art museum)
   6. Trees and changing seasons (coordinated with a trip to a local state park)
2. Arrange to have your child deliver a speech or testimony to your local church or youth group
3. Gather a group of friends and create an impromptu speech night
4. Get your child involved in teaching Sunday School or as a leader in a local community organization
5. Take a formal speech class purchased through a home school curriculum provider such as www.curriculumexpress.com and gather friends and family when it comes time for your child to give his or her final speeches.

I can hear it now–the “But Moms!” and the “Please don’t make me stand up in front of people!” protests, but one day when your child has to respond on the spot to a challenging question or stand up and give a short thank-you speech for his well-deserved scholarship or other award, he will recognize that all of the anxiety you put him through in school was worth it!

Jessica L. Parnell is a homechool consultant and evaluator as well as the principal of Bridgeway Homeschool Academy, a fully accredited international homeschool academy that has been serving the homeschool community since 1989.? For more of? Jessica?s thoughts and ideas visit her personal blog at ? Homeschooling Help - From One Homeschool Mom to Another